Lindi (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Wolfgang Pisa, O.F.M. Cap., Bishop
Bruno Pius Ngonyani, Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Name Changed: 17 October 1986
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Songea
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Tanzania, United Republic of
Square Kilometers: 67,000 (25,878 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, P.O. Box 435, Lindi, Tanzania
Telephone: (023)220.2490
Fax: 220.2274

Historical Details

Diocese of Nachingwea
- Latin Name: Nachingveaensis
- Erected: 5 August 1963
- Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam
- Country: Tanzania, United Republic of

Past and Present Ordinaries

Arnold Ralph Cotey, S.D.S. † (5 Aug 1963 Appointed - 11 Nov 1983 Resigned)
Polycarp Pengo (11 Nov 1983 Appointed - 17 Oct 1986 Appointed, Bishop of Tunduru-Masasi)
Maurus Libaba † (17 Oct 1986 Appointed - 3 Mar 1988 Died)
Bruno Pius Ngonyani (6 Oct 1990 Appointed - 9 Apr 2022 Retired)
Wolfgang Pisa, O.F.M. Cap. (9 Apr 2022 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Diocese of Nachingwea
5 August 1963	Erected	Territorial Abbey of Ndanda (Tunduru, Masasi, and Nachingwea west of Mnero)	Diocese of Nachingwea (erected)
9 July 1964	Territory Added	Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam (Liwale)	Diocese of Nachingwea
17 October 1986	Territory Lost	Diocese of Nachingwea (Tunduru and Masasi (except Ndanda and Chigugu))	Diocese of Tunduru-Masasi (erected)
Diocese of Lindi
17 October 1986	Name Changed	Diocese of Nachingwea	Diocese of Lindi
18 November 1987	Metropolitan Changed		Diocese of Lindi (from Dar-es-Salaam)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Diocese of Nachingwea

1969 35,000 275,000 12.7% 1 26 27 1,296 42 9 13 ap1971

1980 56,457 572,000 9.9% 10 17 27 2,091 36 26 18 ap1981

Diocese of Lindi

1990 95,984 665,740 14.4% 33 11 44 2,181 13 70 26 ap1991

1999 125,485 853,927 14.7% 43 6 49 2,560 7 49 26 ap2000

2000 126,586 854,930 14.8% 45 4 49 2,583 5 51 26 ap2001

2001 129,286 856,455 15.1% 48 6 54 2,394 8 60 26 ap2002

2002 120,547 750,004 16.1% 46 2 48 2,511 3 60 26 ap2003

2003 128,500 791,306 16.2% 46 3 49 2,622 4 60 26 ap2004

2004 128,438 791,306 16.2% 48 3 51 2,518 4 58 26 ap2005

2013 131,067 914,587 14.3% 39 1 40 3,276 1 60 28 ap2014

2016 132,200 821,506 16.1% 37 1 38 3,478 1 57 29 ap2017

2019 135,410 820,736 16.5% 35 2 37 3,659 2 60 29 ap2020

2021 138,970 835,636 16.6% 34 1 35 3,970 1 60 29 ap2022

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Nachingwea
1969	35,000	275,000	12.7%	1	26	27	1,296	42	9	13	ap1971
1980	56,457	572,000	9.9%	10	17	27	2,091	36	26	18	ap1981
Diocese of Lindi
1990	95,984	665,740	14.4%	33	11	44	2,181	13	70	26	ap1991
1999	125,485	853,927	14.7%	43	6	49	2,560	7	49	26	ap2000
2000	126,586	854,930	14.8%	45	4	49	2,583	5	51	26	ap2001
2001	129,286	856,455	15.1%	48	6	54	2,394	8	60	26	ap2002
2002	120,547	750,004	16.1%	46	2	48	2,511	3	60	26	ap2003
2003	128,500	791,306	16.2%	46	3	49	2,622	4	60	26	ap2004
2004	128,438	791,306	16.2%	48	3	51	2,518	4	58	26	ap2005
2013	131,067	914,587	14.3%	39	1	40	3,276	1	60	28	ap2014
2016	132,200	821,506	16.1%	37	1	38	3,478	1	57	29	ap2017
2019	135,410	820,736	16.5%	35	2	37	3,659	2	60	29	ap2020
2021	138,970	835,636	16.6%	34	1	35	3,970	1	60	29	ap2022

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Bruno Pius Ngonyani (Bishop: 6 Oct 1990 to 9 Apr 2022)
Polycarp Pengo (Bishop: 11 Nov 1983 to 17 Oct 1986)
Wolfgang Pisa, O.F.M. Cap. (Bishop: 9 Apr 2022 - )

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Arnold Ralph Cotey, S.D.S. † (Bishop: 5 Aug 1963 to 11 Nov 1983)
Maurus Libaba † (Bishop: 17 Oct 1986 to 3 Mar 1988)

Source(s)

Diocese of Nachingwea
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 56, Page 501, and Page 502
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 56, Page 769, and Page 770
Diocese of Lindi
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 79, Page 1,436, and Page 1,437

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Diocese of Lindi

Dioecesis Lindiensis